What is Torticollis
Torticollis, as a word, means a curved neck. The head of the person’s neck or tilted to one side is standing. Curvature of the neck can occur for many reasons.
What Causes Torticollis?
Torticollis occurs in approximately one in every 100 children. It may have occurred during or after birth. In cases where birth is difficult, pulling the baby’s neck may cause torticollis. Torticollis is the reason that the muscles on one side of the neck are shorter than the muscles on the other side.
Diagnosis of Torticollis
Torticollis usually begins to appear at 2 to 4 weeks after birth. Baby holds his head tilted to one side. There is a palpable swelling on the neck. The baby has difficulty in making neck movements. Diagnosis is usually made by examination. However, ultrasonography may be necessary to investigate the size of the swelling and other causes of swelling.
Torticollis Treatment
Exercise or surgery is used to treat neck curvature. Most patients recover with regular stretching exercises without surgery in the first six months after birth.
